Microscopy Stuff 35mm

Microscopy Stuff 35mm Microscopy Stuff

Lomo Microscope with Praktica VLC 2 Camera on top of the Lomo Microphoto adapter. This is a split prism adapter that requires insertion of a phot eyepiece. It is ideally designed to work with the Zenit camera. To see my set-up with Canon A40, click the link below

CLICK HERE to see DIGITAL set up

Using special interchangable prism on the Praktica VLC 2, one can view through the camera horizontally.

Below is the Olympus OM-2n mounted on the trinocular head with fixed length photo tube (LOMO VA-F2). This fixed length photo tube has an internal lens and takes either Pentax standard thread or T-Mount thread on top. Using the adapter for OM-to-Pentax thread, which is used on phototube (ATP-1 ring) the results are not good, because this OM adapter has an internal lens. Using the OM-to-T-Thread adapter (which has no internal lens) give much better results. But in both cases- they are not parfocal with the eyepieces, and focus must be adjusted independently for camera and eyepiece viewing.

Alternative is to use the adjustable photoube with a 10x WF eyepiece. The eyepiece is surrounded by rolled plastic to keep it centered and stable within the T-Mount. The adjustable phototube allows parfocal use, without re-focusing for the camera. In the below case, the Zenit camera is used, with a Pentax/Zenit adapter to connect to T-Mount. The T-Mount slides into place, and is held by three screws. This is slightly unstable.

Shown is T-mount with 10xWF (left), Zenit camera (center) , and Olympus OM2n (right)

There are two types of adapters that can be used with the Olymus OM2. One (blue box) has no lens inside, and connects Olympus camera to T-mount thread. The other connects Olympus body to Pentax standard thread- and this has a lens inside (red box far left). Shown also is a close up of the Olympus to Pentax adapter. Below photo far right : A 10x WF eyepiece is used to obtain a full screen image without vignetting. Below photo of stained fruit fly was taken with OM 2n using OM-to-T adapter ring (no lens)/ T-tube with thumbscrews, and 10x WF objective on top of the Lomo adjustable trinocular tube at magnification 1.6x.

Another alternative is to use either of the above two conversion rings with the Pentax microscope adapter. This is a more stable configuration, as shown below with Olympus OM2n on top.

A high intensity lamp has been fitted with a Cokin filter holder. These allow square filters of all types to slide in when using incident light. Most useful is the standard daylight blue filter. This can be used for reflected light photo, with a contrasting color filter under the condenser for the transmitted light. The result is above right - mouse whisker.

The cable release is a squeeze bulb type. Bulb is placed on the floor for foot-release. Flash is manually triggered by focusing hand, using a button switch (see photo at bottom of page.)

Nostalgia time! My first hand microtome made using plumbing parts. Thumbscrew pushes the wax upwards. Flange is the cutting surface. Not worth the trouble when you can buy one from Surplus Shed (below) for $24.50.

I make well slides by sawing (with a hacksaw & miter-box) thin slices of clear hard plastic tubing. Different diameters are useful. A ring of slide mounting cement (Cytoseal) is drawn on a piece of cardboard, and the plastic ring is dipped in, then mounted on the slide. Use plenty of cement or the well will leak onto your microscope stage! Apply pressure overnight by placing a weight on top. PVC plumbing pipe works, but it's not clear. Clear is better for reflected light photography. Select a diameter which will allow you to place a coverslip over the liquid. Fill the well to the top without meniscus so there is no air, yet no overflow. Square coverslips work great for easy on and off.

The above mirror enables simultaneous viewing and flash photography. This mirror is 50% transparent, and mounted at an angle so the flash can be directed into the microscope from the side. (See below arrangement.) The mirror itself is a circle of plastic with 50% transparent mirrored surface. At the edge of the circle is a tiny hole which is used in conjunction with a bent paper-clip to prop it up at the correct angle. To prevent scratching of the lamp housing, the paper clip is first enclosed in a plastic coffee-stirrer. Viewing through the microscope is as clear as usual, but requires more wattage to increase brightness. The light used in the actual exposure will be that from the flash. It was pointed out to me that one can use a simple piece of clear glass as well, and this would provide enough reflection to allow flash to light the subject.

At B, the light to C is seen from the built-in lamp in the base. Flash (A) is manually triggered by red button shown. The light travels to mirror at B and is reflected up to C and into the camera. Cable release is a squeeze bulb (shown in foreground) , kept on the floor and stepped on as flash is simultaneously triggered.

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